Premium Crossover of the Year
BMW X1
The BMW X1 offers just what any city-dweller is looking for in a premium crossover. Bold body sculpting and angular lights front and back mean the X1 stands out. And underneath that bonnet, its 1.5-litre unit manages to make the car feel effortless thanks to its generous 230Nm of torque. Throw in the fact that there's a nifty infotainment system in the cabin, and this X1 should have no difficulty rising above its peers.
Special Features
Reviews
 
After test driving a few other SUVs and crossovers from both premium and Japanese makes, I decided to pull the trigger on the X1 and traded in my 3.5 yr old A4. I took delivery of the M Sport variant close to a month back and so far I've been enjoying every moment I'm behind the steering wheel. At current prices, it's definitely more value for money than non premium brand SUVs or crossovers as most of them are priced way to close to the the X1. I like the way the car looks especially in M Sport trim and the overall interior packaging makes it feel roomier than what the dimensions suggest. Steering is direct and sharp even though it lacks abit of feedback. Ride comfort is on the fiirmer side as the M Sport variant comes with the sports suspension so it might or might not be to everyone's liking. The firmer suspension does provide more precise handling though. Power is sufficient for our roads and overtaking maneuvres are never an issue. The 1.5t 3 cylinder is surprising smooth and makes a rorty note when stretched.
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Lucky ones to secure Jan 24 COE, alot of saving with overtrade of existing car for the price, is really bang for bucks. It being just 3cm smaller than older x3 dimension equate to spacious interior and practical space for strollers. Quiet comfort highway cruising machine. The tall body surprising stick to the road during hard corner with no flex or body roll.
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The new BMW X1 has really grown up when it comes to its exterior, as well as its cabin layout. It's an angular design that will take a bit of getting accustomed to, just like its new, swanky, and much more pleasing to the eye infotainment system.Should you get one?
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The U11 X1 strikes the perfect balance between cabin space and external dimensions. It is very handsome & modern looking all-round, inside-out. IMHO, it is the best designed and most practical BMW X vehicle till date.The curved display and sculpted seats gives a sense of luxury quite unrivalled in this compact SUV segment. All seems perfect till you realise the front passenger seat doesn't have electric adjustment - something of which is included in the 2 Active Tourer.Test drove the X1 sDrive16i M-Sport and the ride is surprisingly quiet. The adaptive suspension is comfortably firm and corners extremely well. However, when you floor the accelerator, the 122hp engine struggles to pick-up and shortly runs out of breath. The 3-cylinder engine rattles and vibrates the cabin when you start/stop at a junction.This vehicle excels in almost everything except the engine, making it a compelling choice for families who value practicality over performance. For those who wishes both, consider a used BMW 2 Active Tourer sDrive18i or Mercedes GLB 200. The all-electric iX1 is up in the horizon as well.
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Verdict
This year's winning Premium Crossover is the BMW X1 and it's not hard to see why. The X1 is exactly what most consumers shopping in this segment are looking for: It's relatively large and spacious, has a long list of standard features, and is classified as a Cat A car.

Responsible for the latter point is BMW's buttery-smooth turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder, whose 122bhp and 230Nm are more than adequate for the daily commute. Keener drivers will enjoy the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which has a manual override function for more spirited drives.

There are plenty of goodies in the X1's cockpit as well. Powering the 10.25-inch instrument cluster and 10.7-inch infotainment display is BMW's OS 8, which boasts sharp graphics and customisable menus, among other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard items as well.

Other key elements include wireless smartphone charging, which comes with a 'holder' to keep the device in place, and a handy tab-like gearshift selector. Rear seat passengers enjoy good legroom and headroom, with comfort provided by air-con vents and two USB-C ports.

Crossovers are utilised by active folks and the X1 has them in mind as well. The 540-litre boot is commodious considering the car's position in BMW's lineup, as it's just 10 litres smaller than the one in the larger X3. Fold down the rear seats and the capacity nearly triples to 1,600 litres, giving you plenty of space for sports equipment or luggage, making the X1 a practical choice, too.